Former AFP chief Angelo Reyes commits suicide

Ex-Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Angelo Reyes reportedly took his life by, shooting himself in the chest. He was 65.

During press conference, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that Reyes has died from a gunshot wound to the heart. He added that Reyes was declared dead on arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

Reyes’ lawyer Bonifacio Alentajan in an interview said he got a phone call around 7:45 a.m. from a physician at the QMMC and told him that his client was critically wounded.

"They told me that he is still unconscious and they are now trying to revive him," Alentajan said earlier.

He added that he contacted Reyes’ son but declined to give other details on the circumstances surrounding the event.

"We already contacted his son," Alentajan said.

Earlier reports said Reyes was at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City and shot himself in front of his mother’s grave . His wound reportedly came from a .45 caliber pistol.

His career started in the military as a team leader in the Philippine Army Special Forces. He was a battalion commander, brigade commander, and area commander in Mindanao.

Reyes was appointed as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, which impelled him to the highest post of the Philippine Military as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

From 2001 to 2003, Reyes served as National Defense Secretary and became Energy Secretary under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Recently, he was accused in a high-profile congressional hearing of pocketing money from the armed forces during his term as chief of staff.

Reyes left his wife Teresita and sons Pablo, Angelito, Marc, Carlo and Judd.